Pearl Necklace Oyster Stout - Flying Dog Brewery

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.38/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

-Brewed with rappahannock oysters.

A: Poured a dark khaki head that was frothy but slight, sitting above a pitch black colored body. Head retention was average while lacing was sparse, low coverage and weakly holding.

S: Aroma of dry oysters, the malting visually appears dark and roasty, but doesn't translate much aromatically. Sweetened coffee, earthy notes of chocoalte, oyster shells but very low in presence. Was hoping for some more salty character.

T: The flavor did provide a better deal of oyster kick then was on the nose. Dry, some earthy coffee malting, minerals, and an easy salty roastiness. Some oats and sweetened creamer ends things.

M: The mouthful had a silky feel, no carbonation, milky texture with a sweetened roastiness off the tongue.

O: Overall smooth flavor wise, some oyster, but wish there was more kick.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2013 13:03:22 | More by beerthulhu

cbutova

Massachusetts

3.71/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A- Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass with a black body reminiscent more of thinner, lower ABV stouts than motor oil big ones. A nice cap forms on the beer to about two fingers in size with a frothy texture, some big bubbles throughout. Head retention is good and a foamy ring leaves small spots of lace.

S- Roasted grains make up the bulk of the aroma for me with chocolate, coffee and dark caramel hints coming from the grain bill. Nutty, spiced dark fruit and sweet hints beyond that.

T- The flavor is also led forward by the roast specialty grains used in the recipe. This barley lends roast, cocoa, coffee and burnt notes. The roast grains are certainly not dominating and raisin, nutty, caramel, fruit esters and mineral hints to come through and balance. Hops flavor is low but I get some earthy and grassy hints in the finish.

MF- Body of low-medium thickness with low-moderate carbonation. Definitely a bit thinner feeling than most stouts due to these aspects but it hardly hurts since it is only 5.5% and not just a roast bomb. Roast and hop bitterness in the finish at a lower-end level.

A good stout to drink anytime. It brings enough roast flavors to be interesting but doesn't have a super high ABV or extremely thick body; drinkable. The oysters lend just a tiny bit of mineral flavor that almost reminds me of collecting seashells/being by the sea, random but it's what comes to mind.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 02:36:07 | More by cbutova

WesWes

New York

4/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a pitch black color with a thick frothy tan head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is good. It has a dry, earthy black malt scent along with a hint of chocolate malt sweetness. There is a creamy character that really enhance the dark malt feel. The oysters lend a bit of depth to the aroma that really rounds out the aroma. The taste is good as well. It has a smooth, earthy black malt flavor that goes down easy and finishes dry. There is a bit of chocolate malt in there as well that provides some added sweetness and complexity. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a terrific seasonal beer. It's quite drinkable and is full of flavor.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 22:09:35 | More by WesWes

BurgeoningBrewhead

Pennsylvania

4.24/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

Poured into nonic pint glass. Jet black with a thick brown head that dissipates after a bit, leaving nice lacing. Smells of chocolate and bitter coffee. Taste is roasted coffee, a lot of open, watery taste to it with a bitter chocolate/hop finish. I haven't had oysters before, but I don't taste anything out of the ordinary or shellfish-y in this beer. Perhaps it's in that sort of open slipperiness. Either way, it's still a great stout.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 03:06:10 | More by BurgeoningBrewhead

KTCamm

New Jersey

3.81/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass.

Pours very dark brown with purple tints, some red. Ring of tan foam. Malty dark nose. Some dark chocolate too. Taste is a gritty burnt coffee. There is something a touch different, probably influenced by the title. Somewhat earthy. Very good.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 21:48:27 | More by KTCamm

plaid75

New York

4.1/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draft at The Lark, East Northport, NY.

Poured a deep black hue with a one half finger frothy tan head. There was decent retention and lacing.

The smell featured roasted barley and the typical accompanying aromas.

The taste consisted of an upfront roastiness tempered by a touch of caramel but with a finishing smoke and charcoal.

The mouthfeel was typical of the style.

Overall a tasty well crafted stout.

Serving type: nitro-tap

05-02-2013 23:20:46 | More by plaid75

Jadjunk

Georgia

3.64/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

"Proceeds benefit Chesapeake Bay Oyster Restoration. Brewed with Rappahannock River Oysters." Brewed in the style of an Oyster Stout, available exclusively in the Shock And Awe Variety Pack.

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle to a pint glass. Served north of 56º Fahrenheit.

(Appearance) Pours a billowing medium brown head of a very active foamy consistency. Retention is slightly above average and holds steady when it thickens to a moderate smooth foam. Body color is a dark brown, still slightly translucent even at the thickest points. Carbonation is active and plentiful. Not a bad stout appearance, but it has its shortcomings. 3.75

(Smell) Aroma consists of medium roasted caramel, semi-sweet chocolate, a mild butter character compliments a subtle bread malt profile overall. A tame hop aroma with a mild dry yeast acidity. The oyster character comes through only in small traces but does add a touch of welcome complexity to this beer. 3.5

(Taste) A much more pronounced roasted char front with a moderate chocolate malt sweetness and a pronounced dry finish. Only a touch of oyster flavor carries through for a slight oceanic touch and accents the chocolate notes. The flavor is overall a lot rougher than the aroma gave off with much sharper roasted grain notes, and less emphasis on the coffee and chocolate accents. Also shallow was a solid malt body. The roasted malt could have toned down a touch to bring more attention to the oysters, or the latter upgraded with the malt sweetness to meet a more concentrated balance. 3.5

(Mouthfeel) Very smooth with a mildly creamy, oily slick carbonation presence. A burnt malt profile accents an otherwise mild dry finish. Medium bodied for an English Oyster Stout, medium/heavy bodied overall. Alcohol presence is mild/medium. The textures for this beer are quite fine for the style. 4.25

(Overall) English & oyster stouts are growing on me big time, but my demand for either better balanced or more complex stouts comes with this change. I liked the potential that this beer had, but questioned the importance of the overly smoky, charred specialty malt profile to compare with the oyster inclusions, it seemed they were inevitably in conflict. The residual sweetness was rather mellow for this beer but overall I think that the oyster character was a much shallower player in this beer than it could have been. I can't admit to regretting purchasing the pack for this beer. 3.75

Flying Dog Brewery's
Pearl Necklace Oyster Stout
3.64/5.00

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 01:53:36 | More by Jadjunk

Segelstrom

Pennsylvania

4.11/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - poured onto frozen tumbler to a nice foamy head that was well maintained

S - no oysters here. nice hoppy aroma

T - I've had a few oyster stouts and didn't like any of them. this was different, notes of chocolate and smoke w/ no scent of oysters. smooth and flavorful.

M - good level of carbonation. Smooth

O - never been too impressed w/ flying dog beers. This was different. definitely buy again

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 23:47:52 | More by Segelstrom

BeerYoss

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

served in a goblet

Appearance - opaque, tiny bubbled, 1 finger, tan head quickly dissipates. no lacing.

Smell - Light and refreshing. slightly briny. roasted malts. inviting smell

Taste - warm chocolate up front and a seawater finish. the flavors go together fairly well but there is an abruptness in the transition.

Mouthfeel - light on the tongue throughout, bordering on watery. the lightness balances the warm flavors relatively well. tongue remains tingly from the carbonation

Overall - good overall brew. refreshing with some interesting flavors.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 01:13:20 | More by BeerYoss

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.23/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

Pours a dark rich black depths of hell tone with a light tan head, even lights up the room with the hop of pearls trapped in your oyster however, I have find myself an approachable roasted malt accented stout. Aroma has hints of sea salt and mineral water with an earthy dark roast character, flavor wise we dive into the mix of dark roasted malt bitterness with a soft chocolate blanket and salty earth notes. A bit one dimensional but a drinkable version of a dry stout. Mouthfeel is medium thin at times compared to other bigger stouts on the market this isn't trying to be that, it's a middle of the road oyster infused dark beer. That's really my overall impression.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 05:28:01 | More by WVbeergeek

KYGunner

Kentucky

3.53/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

In the light you notice that this stout is deep, dark, dark brown with a thin bubbly head.

The scent is very low key with very hard to find aromas. After some effort I found salty, shellfish tones with a tinge of chocolate malt.

The taste is absent of salty shellfish, oyster or otherwise. What I found was nice malty, chocolatey taste that tended towards molasses. Slightly sweet and a touch dry the taste is easy and enjoyable. The feel is watery and light which does tend to the ease of drink but does not lend to a true craft beer feel.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 01:21:18 | More by KYGunner

WoodBrew

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

The Pearl Necklace Oyster stout is a decent light abv stout. The beer poured a opaque black with egg shell white head that is leaving some lace. The scent has nice coffee base with hints of semi sweet chocolate and caramel. The taste start with a subtle push of hops then the coffee flavors kick in which then yields to a sweet caramel finish. The mouthfeel is light to medium body with very smooth carbonation. Overall it is a very good session able stout.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 01:39:03 | More by WoodBrew

shand

Florida

4/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pearl Necklace Oyster Stout pours out a deep brown color with a finger of head that quickly drops to a cap. The aroma is pretty stout-typical, with roasted malt and sweet chocolate. Thankfully, the taste does offer a bit of salty brininess that too many oyster stouts miss out on, providing a great amount of depth to the chocolate flavors akin to a sea-salted chocolate bar. The mouthfeel is on the light side of medium and gently carbonated, and the drinkability is good. Overall, Pearl Necklace is a good oyster stout.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 01:43:31 | More by shand

sweemzander

Illinois

3.59/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz. bottle poured into an imperial pint glass.

(A)- Pours practically pitch black in color. Produced a really nice head of tan froth with good retention behind it. Some lacing left behind.

(S)- A deep roasted profile overall. Dark malts with bits of coffee, raisin, cocoa, brown sugar, and molasses. Not in your face potent, but quite a nice rustic aroma feel.

(T)- Pretty similar to the smell. A good underlying roasted component throughout the beer is still there. Hints at raisin, prune, cocoa, and molasses are present. Ever so marginally sweet but with a good dry finish on it.

(M)- A good carbonation level and balance. A good dry roasted quality overall that is supplemented well with subtle sweet flavors. Not super thick or boozy which is nice and fitting the style.

(O)- This is just a nice, easy drinking stout when you want those classic stout flavors without having to tear into a thick and meaty Russian Imperial or American Double. Simple but satisfying.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 21:50:43 | More by sweemzander

wac9

Pennsylvania

3.05/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

this is the frist oyster stout i have had and it just taste life a stout thought a oyster stout tasted diffrent but this beer pours dark with a big head nothing more i can stay a dark beer worth drinking yes but thats it drinks dark looks darks what do oyster taste like because its not in this beer drink this beer if you like dark beer but it you have drank oyster stout before then you know what they should taste like and i think there better ones out there because this just taste like a regular stout

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 01:45:38 | More by wac9

tronester

Oklahoma

3.81/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Pours a very dark brown, almost black in color. Thin but creamy tan head. Aromas of roasted meats and a bit of salt. Taste begins with an almost briny character, followed by a savory coffee middle, and an earthy, coffee finish. Mouthfeel is good. Overall quite a good beer. This may be the first Oyster Stout I've had.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 00:00:27 | More by tronester

chinchill

South Carolina

3.71/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

12 oz bottle poured clear, dark mahogany but looks nearly black in the glass. It has a modest size tan foam cover. The head reduces rather quickly, leaving a durable ring but little lacing.

Aroma: dark roasted malts with a hint of briny oyster.

Taste: Toasty, salty and smokey with just a touch of briny oyster in the surprisingly smokey finish. Sweet/bitter more-or-less in balance.

Mouthfeel: medium-full body; medium carbonation; less dry than expected.

Overall: A nice stout with plenty of rich, dark roasted malt flavor.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 19:19:09 | More by chinchill

Steelcitynsouth

Virginia

3.53/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

Lot of great art on the cover - for a cover of a semi-good beer. Don't get me wrong; were this the 1st stout I ever had I may love it. However, I am a stout / porter fan, so I naturally feel I know them best... This is marginal for a stout and a slightly tasty porter at best...

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 04:18:57 | More by Steelcitynsouth

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.53/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

With Urban Dictionary alive and well with Flying Dog's adolescent-minded marketing team, Pearl Necklace hits the market with shock value and in-your-face flavor. When the beer's label starts with gimmicks, its hard to overcome that in taste.

Amply carbonated and with the darkest of dark brown color, the ale erupts in the glass and nearly overtakes its rim. Building a tall head of varying bubble sized shows long-lasting staying power and laces impressively with sheets of foam that cling to the glass.

Sharply roasted aromas start off with strong coffee grounds, cocoa, and nutty malt scents. There's the minerally tinge of drywall that gives the beer a calcium-rich tone before hop aromas of spruce tips lead into the first sip.

The beer's taste also starts out with the bold taste of spent coffee grounds, burnt grain, campfire, and mild ash. Somewhat abrasive, the taste moves quickly into a middle of bitter cocoa and walnut oils. Hop flavor of pine and spruce turns to bitter resins before the dry brine taste of sea salt and sulfur sets in.

Powdery and full on the palate the beer's high carbonation promotes dryness and a creamy ash character. The roast and short-lived sweetness turns plaster-like as the dryness and mineral-rich oyster shell character dries the beer with a snap.

The stout's high level of carbonation, dryness, and hop character suggest an American-style Stout as opposed to more supple, sweet, and calmer English versions. Those need the salty must of shellfish for balance and palatability. But in this design, the salts exacerbate much of it's already overbearing quality.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 16:10:23 | More by BEERchitect

Uncle_Jimmy

California

4.14/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Appearance - Inky black half a finger of brown foam that goes away instantly no retention. No Lacing.

aroma- roasted briny-ness- like nori seaweed paper a little bit like buttered bread

Taste- Roasty and smokey and just a touch of briney-ness in the finish the hops get a bit lost in this but I like it. Its not sweet as a result of a lack of hops. In fact as it warms the hops become a bit more pronounced. This Oyster Stout is one of the first I have ever had and I really like it. The buttered bread (like squaw dark bread) comes out towards the end along with the hops. They are a bit piney. Noble?!

Mouthfeel- medium to full bodied, a bit high on the carbonation but i think as it mellows it is quite tasty. not too much alcohol that it wouldn't compliment a plat of oysters

Overall- yes- two of my favorites, dark beer , and oysters very tasty. Obviously it would compliment seafood and I think any dish where lemon was a feature ( oddly enough). Not having much to compare it to in the oyster stout category I would say that this is a winner!

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 00:33:10 | More by Uncle_Jimmy

jwc215

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours pitch black with a thick head that lasts awhile before becoming a thin lasting cover. Spider-web lacing sticks.

The smell reminds me of the Atlantic Ocean (which I live near). The smell is wanting me to get to an oyster bar... salty...with a roasted chocolate undertone. Coffee comes through.

The taste is salty with roasted notes. Chocolate with a hint of licorice. The taste is on the mild side - if it were more robust I would appreciate it even more. Still, it is delicious.

It has mild carbonation, is on the full-side of the spectrum, and is very smooth.

This is a nice oyster stout. English in character, with American "craft" touch. It would go well with oysters. Well-made!

My bottle says 4.7 abv.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 16:38:48 | More by jwc215

nukem5

Pennsylvania

3.89/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A: Pours a black cola color with a nice tan cap of 3/4 inch.

S: Aromas are of malts rich and dark roasty with a bit of piney hop note tucked it there.

T: Taste is of much the same. Rich dark maalts roasty goodness and a touch of briney brakishness from the oysters perhaps.

M: Mouthfeel is of medium body with a light carbonation level which gives it a silky feel.

O: Overall a nice beer to have with some fish and fries went nicely.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 19:12:55 | More by nukem5

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.91/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Nice to see an oyster stout out there and this is a nice one, I have to say. Nice little sweet thing going on, in a stout kind of way. Consistent flavor. Carbonation seems a bit high. Probably detracts from the flavor delivery. But this is a very nice beer. I like it.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 05:49:31 | More by RblWthACoz

CHickman

New York

4.18/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours pitch black with no light coming through and a foamy/creamy 2 finger light tan head that faded slowly, leaving good spotty lacing and rings as it went down.

Smells of malt, seawater, oyster shells, roasted grains, coffee, cocoa, caramel, charcoal, herbs and light vanilla or licorice; it’s a nice smelling stout with a good blend of all the ingredients that allows it all to work together well.

Tastes of coffee, cocoa powder, malt, seawater, oyster shells, roasted grains, caramel, toffee, charcoal, herbs, floral hops, lemon zest, light vanilla and faint licorice; the sweet coffee and cocoa up front lead to the salty oyster flavor, followed by the slightly bitter hop finish. An easy drinking stout that went down like water, I really enjoy oyster stouts and this was up there with the best of them. It has a complex flavor with a fair amount going on, yet it’s simple and sessionable.

Mouthfeel is light, smooth and almost watery, with very mild carbonation, a healthy bitterness, and a finish that is a combo of hops, salty oyster, coffee and roasted grains.

Overall this was very good and quite enjoyable. This was much better than I expected it to be and a beer that I’d seek out again. The low ABV made this go down very quickly, and it is a definite session beer to me.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 03:35:31 | More by CHickman

superspak

Michigan

3.9/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle into pint glass, best before 3/27/2013. Pours crystal clear very dark brown color with a 1 finger dense khaki head with good retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Spotty soapy lacing clings down the glass. Aromas of milk chocolate, cocoa, roasted malt, coffee, caramel, toast, toffee, light oyster, and light floral hops. Very nice aromas with good strength and balance of roasted malt notes. Taste of milk chocolate, cocoa, roasted malt, coffee, toast, caramel, toffee, light oyster, floral, and earthy spiciness. Light roasted bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of milk chocolate, cocoa, roasted malt, coffee, toast, caramel, toffee, and earthy spiciness on the finish for a good bit. Damn nice balance and robustness of roasted flavors, with good complexity; and zero cloying flavors present after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a creamy and lightly slick mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with hardly any warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a very nice stout! Nice balance and robustness of roasted flavors; and really easy and smooth to drink. Really enjoyed this one.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 06:52:04 | More by superspak